I was in a secret relationship with Mark Stellan for three years.During that time,I quietly funneled family funds to help him rise to fame and become one of the hottest stars in the entertainment industry.However,he climbed onto the coattails of a top-tier actress.He turned around to accuse me of being a crazy stalker.The fans whom he deceived hated me to the core and hit me to death on the way home.

After I was reborn,I made up my mind to pull out all my investments and cut him out of my life completely.In just five years,he starred in several blockbuster films.He rose to the top of the entertainment industry by using the knowledge from his past life and the connections of cinema queen Sarah Bane.

Mark made a high-profile appearance with Sarah at a group gala,drawing envy from the entire room.Seeing me alone and disheveled in a corner,he couldn't resist coming over to mock me."Westlyn Storm,seeing how successful I am now,must make you grit your teeth in regret.Too bad there's no such thing as a do-over in life."

I remained silent,instead pulling the top-tier actor Declan Shaw beside me for a public kiss.The flashing lights made Mark's face turn ashen."Westlyn Storm,how could you fall for another man?"

——

After I cut ties with Mark, I decided not to waste the experience I gained from struggling in the industry in my past life. So, I took over my family's entertainment business. Sometimes, just for fun, I'd even play minor background roles on set, using my investor status to sneak into scenes.

That day, I had just finished filming as a housemaid and didn't even have time to change out of costume before my driver rushed me to the gala hall. After a full day of acting, I was starving and dizzy, so I skipped the wardrobe change and snuck into a corner to stuff my face. I didn't notice Mark and Sarah walking toward me, basking in attention like celebrities on the red carpet."

"Mark Stellan has only been in the industry a few years and now he's swept up three film festival awards. He's a living legend!"

"Exactly! He's been trending online for three straight months now. His name is basically glued to the top of the hot searches!"

"That's not all. Mark had so many international brands lining up to work with him this year alone that I've lost count. Just the scraps from his table could feed people for years!"

Although Mark was used to this kind of scene, he was still young and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise. Just then, a reporter sneakily asked, "With your relationship going so well, when are you and Miss Bane planning to announce the wedding?"

Mark shrugged dramatically and pouted. "That's not up to me. You'll have to ask Miss Bane when she's finally ready to marry me."

His words flattered Sarah, making her giggle. "Alright, alright, we'll let everyone know as soon as we set a date!"

"Oh, Mark, isn't that your ex-girlfriend?" Sarah's sharp eyes had spotted me. The scent of gossip was in the air and everyone turned to look.

"I heard that Mark had a first love before he debuted, but she dumped him during his lowest point because she was after money. So that's her?"

"A woman like that probably never imagined Mark would become this famous. She must be drowning in regret right now!"

"Unlike her, Sarah saw Mark's potential from the start; now that's a real vision!"

Mark raised an eyebrow, full of smug pride. Meanwhile, Sarah forced herself to act humble, smiling sweetly as she replied, "Oh, it's all in the past. Some girls just don't want to struggle. They want an easy life. That's understandable. No need to blame her." Her words were gentle and generous, but her eyes were venomous.

The people around me pinched their noses and sized me up, their eyes filled with disdain. "That shabby-looking woman is supposed to be Mr. Stellan's ex? Look at her outfit. She looks like someone's maid. I can smell her from here!"

"This is a high-society event hosted by the most prestigious family in Daxton. Since when could just any random stray sneak in? What's security even doing?"

"She's probably a janitor here. Maybe she heard Mr. Stellan was coming and snuck in just to catch a glimpse of him ... "

I calmly put the half-eaten pastry in my hand and smiled politely at Mark. There wasn't even a hint of embarrassment on my face, which only annoyed Mark. He mocked me with a cold smirk. "Westlyn, was breaking up with me so suddenly part of your plan to end up cleaning floors at events like this?"

As soon as Mark finished speaking, another round of laughter erupted. Everyone was waiting to see me humiliated and fleeing disgracefully, but I didn't take it to heart. Instead, I maintained my polite smile.

"Westlyn, don't you have any sense of shame? If I were you, I would turn around and leave right now!" Mark felt like he was punching a pillow and couldn't help but get angry.

Sarah linked her arm with his, comforting him softly, "Alright, Mark, don't get upset. She must be heartbroken to have missed out on you. Why make her embarrass herself in public."

Then, she pretended to reach for my hand. "You're Westlyn Storm, right? Don't blame Mark. After all, the way you left him really did hurt his pride. But Mark was right about one thing: this kind of cleaning job is justn't right for a young woman like you. A woman's hands are her second face, you know? And yours ... honestly, they're rougher than some men's."

"And working yourself to the bone for just a few bucks all month? Totally not worth it. Why not just apologize to Mark? He might tip you a million or two if he's in a good mood. That's more than you'd make in your whole life." She spoke as if offering heartfelt advice, but her eyes kept sneaking glances at Mark. Seeing him soaking it all in with a satisfied look, she finally relaxed.

Mark raised his chin and pulled out a check, waving it at me with his usual arrogance. "Since Sarah wants to help you, here's the deal. Westlyn, apologize for what happened back then. Say you regret it and this million is yours."

I stared at him, stunned. I couldn't believe he actually had the nerve to ask me to apologize. I met Mark while secretly working as an intern at a company under my family's group. He was just starting out in the entertainment industry, full of ambition but frustrated. He was too proud to play the fame game like everyone else. "Westlyn, I can't stand those pretty boys who climb up by getting cozy with rich sponsors. There's no difference between them and nightclub escorts."

I had planned to use my family's influence to help him, but his scornful tone made me swallow my words. Instead, I supported him from the shadows. I feared revealing my identity would affect his career, so I stayed quiet. I endured a secret relationship for three years, doing everything I could to boost his popularity. Eventually, he became one of the most promising rising stars.

I planned to reveal my identity to him, but he publicly embraced Sarah on the day he won the Best Newcomer Award. He made a high-profile announcement of their relationship. He sent me a breakup text and ended our three-year relationship with a single stroke.

I used many connections to track him to his new address and ask why. Alas, he smiled slyly. "How dare you ask why I broke up with you, Westlyn Storm? Why don't you ask yourself? Sarah Bane brings me exposure, awards and connections to powerful investors. And you? You're just a broke assistant. What do you have to offer me?"

I was utterly speechless at his question. The way Mark acted so self-righteous, you'd think he'd forgotten that he was the one who once said he'd climb to the top step by step with no help from anyone. Later, just to shake me off, he smeared my name and called me a crazy stalker. In the end, I died under the wheels of one of his deranged fans.

After my rebirth, I severed all ties with him without hesitation and he didn't even try to make me stay. It wasn't until a week later, when I saw the news about the start of filming for his new drama trending online, that I realized he had been reborn, too. I couldn't understand it. Mark reached a height in just five years that most people couldn't dream of achieving in a lifetime. He got everything he ever wanted. So why did he still paint himself as the victim and force me to apologize in public?

I slowly reached for the check and, under everyone's shocked gaze, stuffed it back into Mark's pocket. "Money doesn't come easy. You should keep it and buy yourself some health supplements." My eyes deliberately drifted to a spot near his waist and Mark's face instantly flushed red.

Despite his fame over the years, Mark's been tangled up in several scandals. He's often seen shopping with rich older women. Although he always explained it as necessary business networking, everyone knew the real reason. Still, no one dared to call him out on it directly. I was the first. The onlookers held their breaths, awkwardly clutching their wine glasses.

"You ungrateful cleaning lady! What do you mean? I was trying to help you out of kindness and you dare to act like this!" Mark burst out angrily.

I kept my polite smile. "Don't get me wrong. I'm just concerned about your health, nothing more."

Frustrated, Mark stood there looking grim. Sarah yelled aggressively to the throng while her eyes darted. "Since Miss Storm insists on refusing Mark's kindness, we won't force her. But as former lovers, Mark can't bear to see her doing such hard and tiring work. If anyone in the crew needs a supporting actress, perhaps we could consider Miss Storm ... "

"Sure, it's a bit tiring, but it pays better than being a janitor. Let's treat it as doing a good deed … " Her tone was sweet and sincere.

Unfortunately, someone interjected sarcastically before she could finish. "Miss Bane, you know not everyone can be a supporting actress. Even with limited screen time, you still need the right face. Someone like Miss Storm … "

They paused, glancing at me awkwardly, prompting a few chuckles from the crowd. "Well, my team is looking for someone to play a whore. I wonder if Miss Storm would be interested?"

The room exploded with laughter. I also laughed softly and calmly set down my wine glass. "Thank you all for your kind offers, but I don't think there's anything wrong with being a janitor. At least I earn my living with my own two hands."

"Tch, there she goes again, putting on an act," someone scoffed. "We went out of our way to offer her a job and she turns up her nose at it."

"Exactly. This woman's just being stubborn. She's rejecting us now, but she'll probably beg for our contact info after the party!"

"Yeah, she's perfect for that role, really. Saying no with her mouth, but her body's saying yes."

Before I could even respond, Mark walked up to me again. This time, his face was full of irritation. "Westlyn Storm, you've hit rock bottom. Who are you trying to impress with that attitude?"

"Go get changed. Let the directors see if you can act." His tone was commanding as if he genuinely believed he was doing me a favour.